Push button combination lock



5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 7, 1956 w w mm a a v M w H w M M I w a O UL-r0 0 March 1, 1960 J. H. MORAWlTZ PUSH BUTTON COMBINATION LOCK 5Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 7, 1956 Fig 2 John H. Morawifz IN VEN TOR.

W W 3 mg,

March 1, 1960 J. H. MORAWITZ 2,926,516

PUSH BUTTON COMBINATION LOCK Filed Aug. 7, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig.6 3

qqapzzza'aza //26 Fig John H. Moran/if:

IN V EN TOR.

March 1, 1960 J. H. MORAWITZ 2,926,516

PUSH BUTTON COMBINATION LOCK Filed Aug. 7, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 3 H 1*I ll Q llh s E r-" 3 W E A 05 '9 John H. Morawifz INVENTOR.

J. H. MORAWITZ PUSH BUTTON COMBINATION LOCK March 1, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet5 Filed Aug. 7, 1956 IN VEN TOR.

John H. Morawilz United States Patent 2,926,516 PUSH BUTTON COMBINATIONLOCK,

John H. Morawitz, Hannibal, Mo., assignor of thirty percent to Robert A.Poage, Hannibal, Me.

This invention generally relates to a novel concept in lock constructionand more particularly provides a combination type of lock for safes ofvarious types and may be employed in any orientation desiring acombination type of lock.

An object of the present invention is to provide a combination type oflock which incorporates a plurality of push buttons for operation of alocking mechanism which replaces the presently used disk-type ofcombination lock and is much simpler in construction, easier to unlockand remains as impregnable as the existing type.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a push buttoncombination type of lock in which the push buttons when operated in theproper sequence permits the .door handle to withdraw the bolt foropening the door.

A further objectof the present invention is to provide a push buttoncombination lock in which the push buttons may be located near the topof the safe door thereby making'them more accessible with the door boltor locking bolt being disposed at the middle of the door for maximumlocking strength.

Yet another-object of the present invention is to provide a push buttontype of combination lock in which all of the push buttons require anexactly equal pressure to operate them whether they are operated inproper sequence or improper sequence thereby preventing unauthorizedpersons from employing somepressure indicating device for determiningthe proper'combination thus making the lock more impregnable.

A still further object of the presentinvention is t provide a pushbutton 'type of lock in which the combination may be easily changed fromthe inside of the safe .by anyone without any special mechanical skill.

Another important feature of the present invention is to provide a pushbutton type of combination lock requiring no springs whatsoever andemploying the force of gravity to return the mechanism to a resetposition but still preventing operation of the mechanism by rolling orinverting the safe. 7

A still further important object of the present invention is to providea push button type combination lock in which the exact same clickingsounds are heard whether the push buttons are pushed in the proper orimproper sequence thus further rendering the lock impregnable.

Other objects of the present invention will reside in its simplicity ofconstruction, its solution to the problems in safe lock construction,impregnability and its relatively inexpensive manufacturing cost. 1

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which: i

Figure 1 is a perspective'view of a safe employing the having anassociated numerical indicia 24 for indicating push button lock of thepresent invention and illustrating the accessibility of the push buttonsby the operator and the relationship of the push buttons to theoperating handle;

Figure 2 is an enlarged front elevational view of the safe door withportions thereof being removed for illustrating the details ofconstruction of the pushbu'tton lock with portions of the lock beingshown in section;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially upon a planepassing along section line 33 of Figure 2 illustrating the specificconstruction of the push button mechanism and the associated elements;

Figure 4 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially upon a planepassing along section line 4-4 of Figure 2 illustrating the relationshipand construction of the rotatable disk; a 1

Figure 5 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially upon a planepassing along section line 5-5 of Figure 4 illustrating the details ofthe second disk;

Figure 6 is an elevational view of a portion of the push buttonmechanism; 1

Figure 7 is a detailed sectional view of the construction of Figure 6;and Figure 8 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially upon aplane passing along section line 88 of' Figure 4 illustrating thedetails of the first rotatable disk.

Referring now specifically to th edrawings, then'umeral 10 generallydesignates the push button lock of the present invention incorporated ina safe generally designated by the numeral 12 and including a pivotal'door 14 mounted on hinges 16 together with suitable supporting casters18 or any other supporting mechanism. The door 14 is provided with acentrally disposed pivotal handle 20 and ten push buttons 22 adjacentthe upper edge thereof with each of the push buttons 22 the numericalnumber of the push buttons 22.

For purposes of description, the operation ofa single push button 22will be described and it is pointed out that the operation of each pushbutton 22 is substantially the same. i

Referring now specifically to Figures 3, 6 and7, it will be clearly seenthat each push button 22 is provided with a base member 26 and the pushbutton 22' is slidably received in an inclined aperture 28 theprojecting therefrom for supporting a rocker arm shaft 36 which supportsa plurality of rocker or lifter arms 38 in the form of bell cranks. Eachof the :arrns or bell cranks 38' terminates in a ball so'cket'40 atitsfree end with the ball socket having an entrance slot' 42'fordetachablyreceiving the ball headed end of a'lift rod 46therebypermitting the liftrod 46 to b eremov'ed and interchanged with the lift .rod 46 on anadjacent arm 38.v

Each of the arms or hell cranks 38 is provided with a depending roundedportion 48 received in'the socket 50 of a snubbing bell crank 52 whichis mounted on a,

' shaft 54 supported. by lugs 56. ',.The' outer end of the bell crank 52is provided with a-roundediportion 58' meral 64 and includes a supply ofliquid 66. The cylinder 62 has a small opening 68 in the lower endthereof and a similars'mall opening 70 in spaced relationto the lowerend wherein the liquid 66 will snub or dampen the movement of theplunger' 6;) wherein a ,,c'on stant resistance to the movement of thepush bu'tt'on22' re- .Patented Mar. V1, 1960 vided so that all of thepush buttons will have exactly the same force required for pushing theminwardly at a given rate since all of the plungers 60 resist movement ofthe bell crank 52 in the same manner thereby requiring the same force toovercome the plunger and force the plunger to move downwardlywhichpermits the rocker arm 38 to move. This snubbing unit 64 also preventsany rapid movement of the bell cranks 52 and 38 there by eliminating thepossibility of the lock construction being turned very rapidly for thepurposes of determining the characteristics of the lock. As seen inFigure 2, the lift rods 46 are all identical in length and may beinterchanged with each other. That is, the upper ends of the rods 46 maybe taken from one socket 40 and placed in an adjacent socket 40 whereinthe rods 46 may be selectively associated with different numbered pushbuttons 22.

Connected to the lower end of each of the lift rods 46 is a lift bar 72having a ball socket 74 at the upper end thereof for universalconnection to the ball end 76 on the lower end of the lift rod 46. Thelower end of the lift bar 72 is provided with a laterally extendingportion 78 for a purpose described hereinafter and adjacent the upperend thereof is mounted a pivotal pawl 80 for engagement with one of aseries of circumferentially spaced notches 82 on a cylindrical spool 84.The pawls 80 dropping into the notches 82 provide a clicking noise andwill tend to confuse a person attempting to work the combination, thatis, listen to such noises and determining the proper sequence ofoperation. Also, the Weight of the spool 84 will discourage the rapidrotation of the lock mechanism by sharp punching of the push buttons 22.This also will be substantially prevented by the snubbing unit 64. Ifthe mechanism were operated rapidly, the clicking of the pawls 80engaging with the notches 82 would effectively blanket any noise thatmight serve to disclose the combination. The spool 84 may be in the formof a cylindrical member rotatably mounted on a central shaft 86. In adevice having ten push buttons, nine pawls 80 click once each for eachnotch the spoolis moved by the single button depressed since each buttonoperates the spool and only one pawl will follow the spool 84.

Referring now specifically to Figures 2 and 5, it will be seen that thelower end of each of the lift bars 72 is slidably received in anupwardly opening casing 88 which may be in the form of any suitable typeof supporting as g Slidably disposed in the casing 88- along with thelifting bar 72 is a like number of holding bars 90 which are separatedfrom the lifting bar 72 by a plurality of transverse spacers 92 whichmay be in the form of rods thereby retaining the bars 72 and 90 inspaced parallel relation. The lower end of eachholding bar 90 isprovided with a notch 94 which receives the lateral projection 78 on thelift bar 72 whereby upward movement of the lift bar 72 will causecorresponding upward movement of the holding bar 90.

.The edge of the holding bar90 remote from the lift bar 72-is providedwith a Pair of vertically spaced notches 96 and 98 and abell crank inthe form of-a holdingbar anchor 100 is provided and pivotally mounted atits apex on apivotshaft 102. One end of the bell crank 100 is providedwith an offset pointed portion 104 for selective engagement with one ofthe notches 96 and 98 for anchoring the holding 'bar 90 in verticallyelevated posi tion. The other end of the bell crank 100 is provided witha rounded portion 106 forming an abutment for a purposedescribedhereinafter.

The upperportion of each holding bar 90 is provided with a pawl 108mounted in a recess 110 in the same edge of the bar 90 as the notches 96and 98 and projecting laterally therefrom. The undersurface of each pawl8 des agains a tran vers sha t .or bo t .1 which moves the pawl 108 backtowards the bar 90 when the bar 90 moves downwardly into the casing 88during the reset operation to be described hereinafter.

Now referring specifically to Figure 2, the sliding lock bolt isdesignated by the numeral 114 and has a portion 116 projecting from thedoor 14 for engagement with a suitable keeper on the stationary part ofthe safe for retaining the door 1.4 in closed position. The lock bolt114 is provided with extending projections 118 for engagement with thedoor 14 when the lock bolt 114 is in extended or locked position. At theinner end of the lock bolt 114 is provided a link 120 secured thereto bypivot pin 122. The free end of the link 120 is provided with anupstanding projection 124 for selective engagement with the abutmentforming portion 106 of the anchor bell crank 100. The free end of thelink 120 is also provided with an angulated slot 126 slidably receivinga projecting pin 128 mounted on an offset arm-130 which is rigidlysecured to the pivot shaft 132 which mounts the handle 20 in the door 14whereby pivotal movement of the handle 20 will cause correspondingpivotal movement of the offset arm 130. When the haddie 20 is swungdownwardly towards an open position, the pin 128 engages the rear edgeof the slot 126 and pulls the link along with the bolt 114 rearwardlyfor retracting the bolt 114 and retracting the projecting portion 116 topermit opening of the door 14 When the handle 20 is moved upwardly or tothe left, the pin 128 will ride forwardly in the slot 126 until itengages the downwardly inclined portion whereby the link 120 will bepivoted upwardly about pivot pin 122. This will cause the projection 124to engage the abutment portion 106 of bell crank 101) thereby raisingthis portion of the bell crank 100 thus releasing the pointed end 104thereof from one of the notches 96 and 98 thereby permitting the holdingbar 90 to move downwardly to a reset or locked position by the force ofgravity.

The pawl 108 on the holding bar 90 is provided with a pointed upper end134 and also includes an up: standing projection 136 on the rear surfacethereof which has a projecting pin 140 extending laterally therefrom aswill be clearly seen in Figure 4.

For selectively locking the lock bolt 114 in extended position, a boltlocking blade .142 is pivotally mounted on a pivot shaft 143 andincludes a depending abutment portion 144 at the lower end of adownwardly curved portion for positioning in the path of movement andagainst the projection 118 when the projecting portion 116 of the lockbolt 114 is in extended position. An upwardly curved portion 146 isprovided on the blade 142 with this upwardly extending portion 146normally forming an abutment for preventing upward pivotal movement ofthe blade 142 when the lock bolt 114 is urged rearwardly therebypreventing rearward movement of the lock bolt 114. When the propercombination of push buttons 22'has been pushed, the blade 142 may swingupwardly when the handle 20 is moved downwardly thereby permittingretraction of the bolt 114 and unlocking of the door 14 in a mannerdescribed hereinafter. i v

Freely rotatably mounted on a shaft 150 is a plurality of locking disks152 which are provided-with an alternate disk 154 therebetween. Betweenthe first two locking disks there is no alternate disk thus there areten locking disks 152 illustrated and eight alternate disks 154. Each ofthe'locking disks 152 except the first locking disk 152 is provided withan arcuate groove 156 for slidably receiving connecting pins 158 whichinterconnect the adjacent locking disks. Each pin 158 is rigidlyattached to a locking disk 152 and projects through an alternate .diskY154 and is slidably received in the groove 156 in the next adjacentlockingdisk. Each of the disks 152 and 154 is provided with a radiallyinwardly extending stop lug 160 for ene s m n with Mi gl s at na y QP bst ifi fq lim ing the free pivotal movement of the disks 152 and 154.Also, each of the disks 152 and 154 is provided with an enlarged openarea 164 in which the lug 160 is disposed and also is provided with asolid area 166 which forms a limit for its pivotal movement in relationto the stop bolt 162 wherein the bolt 162 will either engage the lug 160or the solid area 166. This solid area 166 also acts as a counterbalanceto assure that the disks 152 and 154 will be rotated to a position withthe lug 163 against bolt 162 by the force of gravity when the device ismoved to reset position. 1

Each of the alternate disks 154 is provided with a projection 168 whichis in the form of an arcuate member spaced outwardly from thecircumference ofeach disk 154 and the projection 168 terminates in anotch 170 which may be engaged by the pin 140 on the pawl 108 undercertain circumstances as described hereinafter. Also, each of thelocking disks 152 is provided with a notch 172 in the periphery thereoffor engagement by the pointed end 134 of the pawl108 under a given setof circumstances and each of the disks 152 is provided with an inwardlyextending radial and slightly curved slot 174 and each of the alternatedisks 154 is provided with a similar radial slot 176. When the notches17-4 and 176 are all aligned with each other and in alignment with theupwardly extending projection 146 on the blade 142, the blade 142 may bepivoted upwardly thus releasing the lock bolt 114.

In operation of the device, when the handle 20 is moved to resetposition, the upstanding projection 124 engages abutment portion 106thereby releasing the holding bars 90. The force of gravity causes theholding bars 90 to move downwardly to their lowermost position and havethe recess 94 engaged with the projection on the lift bar 72. Due to theeccentric weighted condition of the disks 152 and 154, each of the disks152 and 154 will be rotated to a predetermined position with the lug 160against the stop bolt 162 after the blade 142 pivots downwardly to aposition with the downwardly projecting portion 144 disposed behind theprojecting portion 118 of the lockbolt 114. In this condition, the lockbolt 114 cannot be retracted until such time' as all of the slots 174and 176 have become aligned with each other and have become aligned withthe curved or upstanding portion 146 of the blade 142. When thiscondition exists, the bolt 114 may be retracted by merely puttingpressure thereon by pivoting the handle downwardly. In this" condition,all of the alternate disks 154 have their slots 176 alignment with thecurved portion 146 on the locking blade 142 substantially as illustratedin Figure 5. 1f the alternate disks 154 are moved during the unlockingoperation, this will prevent unlocking and withdrawing of the door bolt114 since the slots 176 will bernisa'lignedwith the projection 146 onthe blade 142.

The first locking disk 152 is the only disk which is properly positionedfor the notch 172 to receive the pointed end 134 of the pawl 108 on theholding bar 91 Therefore, the first locking disk 152 must be operatedfirst, otherwise any other pawl 108 being moved except the number onevpawl will ride the periphery of its respective disk 152 and thealternate disk actuating pm 140 will engage the notch or recess 170 onthe alternate disk 154 thus movingthe alternate disk 154 to anonunlocking position and will be held thus by the holding bar anchor orbell crank 100 since the pointed end 164 will engage a notch 96 or 98therein until such t1me as the handle 211 is lifted to a reset position.This resetting operation releases the anchor bell'crank 100 and permitsall of the disks 152 and 154 to assume an initial starting position bythe force of gravity.

Each push button is to be operated once and only once in the combinationthat unlocks the door. As the distance from the socket in each lift bar72 to the pockets in the rocker arm 38 is equal, the lift rods 46 may beinterchanged for giving varied operations and combinations.

. combination has been followed throughout. by this time the combinationhas been worked out.

The first button to be operated in the combination, regardless of itspositoin or number, is to be connected by a lift rod to the first lockdisk 152. The second button used in the combination is to be connectedto the second disk, the third to the third, etc. I

As an example, the combination of 853927416 would have the lifting rodscoupled to the rocker arms in the following order, first rod to pocket8, second rod to 5, third to 3, fourth to 9, fifth to 2, etc.

The first disk 152 requires only one move to align its slot 174 with theprojection 146 on the bolt locking blade 142, as will be seen in Figure8. The other locking disks 152 require two moves to align their slots174 with the projection 146 on the blade 142. Moving the first disk 152imparts to the second disk 152 by means of the connecting pin 158extended into the recess 156 in the second disk. the second disks firstmove but positions its notch 172 in position for engagement'with thepawl 108;

Operation of the second button then imparts to-the sec- (nd disk 152 itsrequired second move and at the same t me imparts to the third disk thethird disks first move. Thus. the ocking disks 152 are progressivelymoved to unlocked position when the combination is properly followed.

It is pointed out that the weight or tendency to recoverpo it on of n aternate disk 154 should be exact y equal to the weight, or recovery oftwo locking disks 152 so as to offer thesame resistance to operation sothat the same force is required to depress a button whether it is properse uence or im roper sequence. The slots in the alternate disks 154which are designated by the numeral 157 permi s movement of the lockingdisk without causing movement of the a ternate disks 154 since it isnecessary that the alternate disks remain in their normal position sincethey are a ready so positioned that the slots 176 will receive theprojection 146 on the blade 142. The slots 157 in the a te na e disks154 should permit free passage of the pins 158 therethrough, and alsopermit free arcuate movement of the pins 158. The s ots 157 shouldextend both upwardly and downwardly of the pins 158. Movement of the pin158 should not impart movement to the alternate disk 154 and,conversely, movement of the alternate disk 154 should not impartmovement to the pin 158.

All the alternate disks 154 are identical in construction, weight,recovery tendency and inertia.

All the locking disks 152 (except number oneleft side in Figure 4) areidenticalin construction, weight, recovery tendency and inertia. Numberone locking disk dilfers from the other locking disks in constructiononly. The weight, recovery tendency and inertia of one alter nate disk154 is equal to the weight, recovery tendency and inertia of two lockingdisks 152. Hence; the effort required to push a button, in or out of theproper sequence, is equal to the effort required to push any otherbutton in the combination. This equality holds true until the secondmove of the tenth (last) locking disk, and inasmuch as this disk has noother locking disk to impart a first more to, this last disk willrequire one-half the effort to move it when the proper However,

The foregoing is considered as illustrative onlyof the principles of theinvention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows: a

1. A-push button lock for use in safes comprising a slidable lock bolt,a handle for actuating said bolt, means for locking the bolt in lockingposition, pushbutton means for releasing the locking means to permit thebolt to be moved to unlocked position, and means actuated by said handlefor resetting the bolt lock means in one direction of movement of thehandle, said push button means including a plurality of push buttonsmounted remotely of the lock bolt, a lifter arm connected to each pushbutton, a lift rod interchangeably connected to each arm, and a lift barconnected to each lift rod, all of said lift rods being equal in lengthand detachably connected to the arms whereby the sequential combinationof depression of the push buttons may be changed by interchanging theends of the lift rods attached to the arms, said means for locking thebolt including a plurality of freely rotatable locking disks, meansconnecting the lift bars to the disks for rotation of the disks in onedirection, stop means for limiting the movement by gravity of the disks,said disks being weighted for movement to a position against the stopmeans, each of said disks having a radial slot therein, a pivotallocking blade misaligned in relation to the slots and mounted formovement into said slots when all the slots are aligned therewith, saidlocking blade including a portion in looking engagement with the lockbolt when the blade is not positioned in the slots thus preventingretraction of the lock bolt until all of the slots are aligned with theblade, a notched spool disposed alongside said lift bars, a pawl on eachlift bar for engagement with the notches in the spool for rotating thespool when one button is depressed whereby the pawls on the other liftbars will produce a clicking noise each time a button is depressed.

2. A push button lock for use in safes comprising a slidable lock bolt,a handle for actuating said'bolt, means for locking the bolt in lockingposition, push button means for releasing the locking means to permitthe bolt to be moved to unlocked position, and means actuated by saidhandle for resetting the bolt lock means in one direction of movement ofthe handle, said push button means including a plurality of push buttonsmounted remotely of the lock bolt, a lifter arm connected to each pushbutton, a lift rod interchangeably connected to each arm, and a lift barconnected to each lift rod, all of said lift rods being equal in lengthand detachably connected to the arms whereby the sequential combinationof de pression of the push buttons may be changed by interchanging theends of the lift rods attached to the arms, said means for locking thebolt including a plurality of freely rotatable locking disks, meansconnecting the lift bars to the disks for rotation of the disks in onedirection, stop means for limiting the movement by gravity of the disks,said disks being weighted for movement to a position against the stopmeans, each of said disks having a radial slot therein, a pivotallocking blade misaligned in relation to the slots and mounted formovement into said slots when all the slots are aligned therewith, saidlocking blade including a portion in locking engagement with the lockbolt when the blade is not positioned in the slots thus preventingretraction of the lock bolt until all of the slots are aligned with theblade, a hydraulic piston and cylinder arrangement connected to eachpush button for snubbing rapidly the movement of the-buttons andproviding an equal resistance .to tiepression thereof. v

3. A pushbutton lock for use in safes comprising a slidable lock bolt, ahandle for actuating said bolt, means for locking the bolt in lockingposition, push button means for releasing the locking means to permitthe bolt to be moved to unlocked position, and means actuated by saidhandle for resetting the bolt lock means in one direction of movement ofthe handle, said push button means including a plurality of push buttonsmounted remotely of the lock bolt, a lifter arm connected to each pushbutton, a lift rod interchangeably connected to each arm, and a lift barconnected to each lift rod, all of said lift rods being equal in lengthand detachably connected to the arms whereby the sequential combinationof depression of the push buttons may be changed by interchanging theends of the lift rods attached to the arms, said means for locking thebolt including a plurality of freely'rotatable locking disks, meansconnecting the lift bars to the disks for rotation of the disks in onedirection, stop means for limiting the movement by gravity of the disks,said disks being weighted for movement to a position against the stopmeans, each of said disks having a radial slot therein, a pivotallocking blade misaligned in relation to the slots and mounted formovement into said slots when all the slots are aligned therewith, saidlocking blade including a portion in locking engagement with the lockbolt when the blade is not positioned in the slots thus preventingretraction of the lock bolt until all of the slots are aligned with theblade, a notched spool disposed alongside said lift bars, a pawl on eachlift bar for engagement with the notches in the spool for rotating thespool when one button is depressed whereby the pawls on the other liftbars will produce a clicking noise each time a button is depressed, ahydraulic .piston and cylinder arrangement connected to each push buttonfor snubbing rapidly the movement of the buttons and providing an equalresistance to depression thereof.

4. A push button combination lock comprising a lock bolt, handle meansfor actuating said lock bolt, a movable lock member mounted forreleasable engagement with said lock bolt for holding the lock bolt inlocking position or permitting movement thereof to an unlockingposition, and means releasably holding said lock member in engagementwith said lock bolt,said means including a plurality of pairs ofrotatable disks, one disk of each pair of disks forming a locking disknormally preventing movement of the lock member out of engagement withthe lock bolt, the alternate disk of each pair of disks being normallypositioned to permit movement of the lock member away from the lockbolt, a plurality of push buttons, and means interconnecting each of thepush buttons and the plurality of disks for sequential movement of thelocking disks of each pair to a position permitting movement of the lockmember away from the lock bolt when the buttons are depressed in propersequence and for moving the alternate disk of a pair to a position toprevent movement of the lock member away from the lock bolt when thepush buttons are depressed in improper sequence, said locking disk of agiven pair being interconnected with a'locking disk of an adjacent pairwith a lost motion connection for imparting a portion of the movement ofthe given locking disk as it moves from its normal to its releaseposition upon depression of its associated button to the adjacentlocking disk whereby the adjacent locking disk is then properlypositioned to be moved by depression of its associated button to releaseposition thereby effecting completion of a mechanical connection betweenthe succeeding adjacent locking disk and its associated button onlyafter completion of a mechanical connection between a preceding lockingdisk and its associated button whereby the mechanical connection willnot be completed if an improper sequence of button depression occurs.

5. The combination lock of clai'm4 wherein said means includes aplurality of identical rods detachably connected with the push buttonswith an identical detachable connection whereby the sequence ofdepression of the buttons necessary for moving the locking disks to aposition permitting the lock member to move away from the lock bolt maybe changed by interchanging the rods in relation to the buttons.

6. The combination lock of claim 5 wherein each push button is providedwith a hydraulic piston and cylinder cushioning arrangement connectedthereto for rapidly snubbing the movement of the buttons and providingan equal resistance to depression thereof.

7. The combination lock of cleiin 5 wherein the conof a buttonregardless of whether the button is depressed nection between the rodsand the push buttons is a ball in the proper sequence or in the impropersequence. and socket joint, each rod havinga lift bar connected to thelower end thereof for movement therewith, a notch erences Cited in i116filo Of this patent spool disposed alongside each lift bar, a pawl oneach 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS lift bar for engagement with the notches inthe spool v for rotating the spool when one button is depressed wherefifi' by the pawls on the other lift bars will produce a click- 2 529119ifig z 1950 mg noise eachtlme a button 1s depressed whereby the2,750,786 Sanowskis June 19, 1956 number of clicks will be the same foreach depression 10

